The convention

Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov signed the convention on behalf of Russia, and Foreign Minister Benita-Maria Ferrero-Waldner signed it on behalf of Austria. Ivanov pointed out at a press conference after the signing that Russia paid much attention to relationships with Austria, which had been developing constructively and fast recently. In his view, the signed document is to stimulate trade between the two countries and to attract Austrian investments in the Russian economy, The future role of the OSCE in guaranteeing security in Europe was also discussed at today's negotiations. "We are interested in the OSCE playing an appropriate role in the economic, political and humanitarian spheres, and we will take every effort to facilitate this," Ivanov pointed out.